There are countless allegations of financial misconduct by church leaders. While
not all the allegations turn out to be true there are indeed untold numbers of churches across the world where suspicions of financial misconduct
are well-founded and proven. Most disturbing, because of the news coverage that results from such revelations, nonbelievers
have their skepticism reinforced, seeing the scandals as affirmation that Christianity’s claims are false, motivated not by a concern for humankind, but rather
self-enrichment.
This is of concern
because it is incumbent upon Church leaders to model the characteristics of Jesus if the Gospel is to be considered authentic
by a culture increasingly skeptical of the claims of Christians. His followers should therefore model a lifestyle that is
consistent with Jesus’ example, especially in matters that are as fundamental and visible as money and sacrificial living.
One can not expect congregants or nonbelievers to be encouraged by the hope of the Gospel if church leaders demonstrate a
lack of faith by ironically building up nest eggs for themselves rather than trusting in the Lord’s provision.
Corporate America has shown us the disasters that can happen if a company is not honest in its financial
reporting. Enron's fancy bookkeeping destroyed the company, even though much of it was "legal". If our people don't
understand what happens to the money given to and held by the church, problems can result if our books are looked at closely.
We need to be above reproach in integrity, but in addition to that, we simply need to realize that the church office is responsible
to communicate financial matters clearly. Our people are not accountants.
Many folks responsible to communicate the financial status of the church have no
concept of how little most church members understand about the rules of giving to the church. Most assume it somehow just
all goes into a big pot and is used however the pastor wants it to be used. In our churches people will not give generously
if they don't trust how we are using their contributions.
It is necessary for a church to do up a brochure, or a booklet to explain these things.
It may be even necessary for us to have a section on our web site that clearly explains our financial rules and regulations.
I usually wonder
how well our budgets would hold up to scrutiny if published in our local newspaper. Perhaps even more than sexual sin, financial shenanigans and skullduggery
by Christian church leaders in the modern era have done more to discredit the Church – and hence the Gospel –
than any other sin. The believer’s faith is shaken and non-Christians see such scandals as evidence that the messages
delivered from behind the pulpit – even that of Christ crucified and risen for each person’s sins – are
at best suspect, and at worst nothing more than another scam to pad somebody’s pockets.
Clearly, accountability is required. As is seen from the
life of David (2 Samuel 11), it is best not to wait for a crisis to occur to establish accountability. A church should have
structures and relationships that assure mutual accountability. Countless examples from Scripture and from our own lives remind
us of our infinite ability to deceive ourselves and one another; accountability is a safeguard against such temptation.
Church members,
too, have an obligation to report suspected wrongdoing (Ephesians 5:11). While doing so might be unpleasant, and certainly
should be done prayerfully, Judiciously and confidentially, Scripture does place a burden on the church member to be discerning –
(Proverbs 1:5); a good steward (1 Corinthians 4:2); and, a generous and cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Church members, to be generous and cheerful givers, must have
confidence that the church’s disclosures regarding financial practices, spending habits, governance and compensation,
and other key practices are complete, thorough, timely and transparent. It's not enough for leaders to say, "Our conscience
is clear before the Lord." Our actions must be above reproach, "not only in the eyes of the Lord but the eyes of
men." Whatever system of collecting and distributing funds we choose; it must involve awareness and accountability with
a plurality of character-approved men or women, preferably not chosen by each other but by a church.
One of the most telling questions to ask in any
church or ministry is this: Who has the courage and authority to tell decision-makers that what they are doing is unbiblical?
How financially transparent are ministries? Do they conceal salaries, expenditures, and sources of income? When they make
bad decisions, do they admit and correct their mistakes or cover them up? Responsible kingdom investors should ask these and
other questions.
